As I’ve written before you can never have too much pitching depth and potentially these two recovering pitchers who probably won’t be in action in 2018, could be intriguing options for 2019.

Both Michael Pineda and Trevor Rosenthal both underwent Tommy John surgery this past season and will likely miss most of 2018.

If everything goes right in their respective recoveries, the right handers could be back on a mound in late 2018, with 2019 as the goal for being back in the Majors.

Nathan Eovaldi, after undergoing Tommy John late in 2016, signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays who knowingly signed him with the potential that he could make a full recovery and become part of the pitching staff in Tampa Bay.

Pineda flashes a mid 90’s fastball along with a changeup and slider that could follow the same blueprint as Eovaldi. The Red Sox could be a potential suitor for the AL East pitcher, knowing that he could be an option in 2019.

Trevor Rosenthal, of the St. Louis Cardinals, opposed the Red Sox in the 2013 World Series. The righty has been the closer for the Cardinals over the past couple of seasons, prior to losing that job and undergoing surgery.

Rosenthal features a four-pitch arsenal including a mid-to-high 90’s fastball to go along with a changeup, slider, and curveball. His track record and potential could entice the Red Sox to take a chance on the high pedigree reliever.

The reason that both of these recovering pitchers could be of interest to the Red Sox is that after this coming season, David Price could opt out of his seven year deal, thus becoming a free-agent.

In addition, Drew Pomeranz and Craig Kimbrel could become free agents at the end of this coming season as well.

Chris Sale, if not extended, would become a free agent in 2020.

This type of signing has had success with Greg Holland, former Royals and Rockies reliever. The Rockies signed Holland post-Tommy John to a Minor league deal, who experienced a great amount of success this past season in Colorado.

In addition to the Rockies, the Kansas City Royals have a track record for reclamation projects. Kris Medlen, Mike Minor, and others have been injured and turned their careers around in KC.

Acquiring Pineda, or Rosenthal, would provide a security blanket if one of the mentioned Red Sox were not re-signed.